julie@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com (Julie Skeen) (03/14/91)
Hi, I am new to this group, so I apologize if this topic has been covered recently. I am trying to find a good glove for use working with birds of prey. Some of the people I know use welding gloves. I would like to know if there are gloves made specifically for birding, or if I can find thick, long gloves that might fit a small womans hand better than most welding gloves. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. While I'm at it, I am also curious to know if many of you work with large birds, or if you ever have discussions about falconry. I would love to hear your stories. If this topic doesn't seem to be of general interest, please email me directly. Thanks! Julie Skeen (503) 750-2896 julie@cv.hp.com
miken@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com (Mike Nickerson) (03/16/91)
julie@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com (Julie Skeen) asks: > Hi, > > I am new to this group, so I apologize if this topic has been covered > recently. I am trying to find a good glove for use working with birds > of prey. Some of the people I know use welding gloves. I would like > to know if there are gloves made specifically for birding, or if I can > find thick, long gloves that might fit a small womans hand better than > most welding gloves. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. > > While I'm at it, I am also curious to know if many of you work with > large birds, or if you ever have discussions about falconry. I would > love to hear your stories. If this topic doesn't seem to be of general > interest, please email me directly. > > Thanks! > > Julie Skeen (503) 750-2896 julie@cv.hp.com ---------- My wife works with birds of prey also. She mostly uses welding gloves. If you go to a welding supply store, you will find a wide range of gloves from too small to very large. You should be able to find a pair of gloves which fit pretty well. My wife likes a glove which is a little loose so that she can move her fingers. There are gloves available custom made for falconry. However, they tend to be rather expensive. Local falconers in your area (I assume there is a state falconer's association) will probably know of local people who make gloves. Hawk Chawk (from the North American Falconer's Association) usually has ads for gloves. When you buy welders gloves, you get a pair. Since you only need the left hand (if you are right-handed), you can make the other glove work also by turning it inside out. This gets you two gloves for usually 15 to 30 dollars. The major difference between real falconry gloves and welders gloves is that falconry gloves lie flat along the upper arm while welders gloves flare on both the top and bottom of the arm. This looks funny and makes it harder for the bird to stand. I have been ripping the top seam and restitching the gloves to straighten out the top seam of the glove. If you work with larger birds, (large falcons or hawks), you will want more protection than one glove. In this case, we buy two pairs of welding gloves (usually medium and extra large). The medium pair is placed inside the large pair and we have a good heavy duty glove for a footy red-tailed hawk. When working with eagles, this double glove needs at least one more layer of thick (> 1/8") leather as a gauntlet over the entire glove. Mike Nickerson Hewlett-Packard Disk Storage Systems Boise, ID